A developer which started building at a site in Manadon Park without permission has been ordered by the council to stop all construction work.

Plymouth City Council stepped in to temporarily halt the building work after complaints had been raised by residents over construction traffic accessing the 85-home development through their residential roads.

Plymouth City Council granted site developer Burrington Estates permission to start building the estate last September and construction began last week.

However, according to the council, talks are still ongoing regarding a suitable means of access for construction vehicles and therefore Burrington Estates did not have permission to start work on January 5.

Burrington Estates say they are 'disappointed' by the Temporary Stop Notice enforced on January 8, which means work cannot be resumed for 28 days.

Read More

"Information relating to planning conditions have been submitted to the council and we continue to work with them to clear these.

"It is disappointing that work has been ordered to stop as this action will also include the closure of the on-site temporary access way and welfare provision for the work force.

"This is necessary before any main construction work can commence and this access way was at the request of both the council and neighbours.

Residents are in uproar over construction traffic in Aberdeen Avenue. (Image: Penny Cross)

"This access way was to provide the alternative access for the construction vehicles."

The stopping notice stipulates there has been a breach in planning control on the site relating to work on the development starting without pre-commencement conditions attached to approved planning permissions and therefore the construction is unauthorised.

It also notes that in the council's opinion the use of Manadon Park for construction access is not suitable.

Read More

This follows in the wake of anger from local residents reporting construction traffic began before 7am on the first day of construction (January 4) and passed every few minutes 'inches from front doors'.

Construction traffic being guided through Manadon Park by an escort vehicle

Site workers were also reportedly unable to manoeuvre flat bed lorries through the streets without asking residents to move their cars.

A council spokesperson said: "We are acting on a complaint that Burrington Estates are carrying out construction work on new homes on land off Aberdeen Avenue, despite not having met pre-commencement conditions.

Read More

"The notice will last for 28 days and further action will be pursued if necessary after that date. Failure to comply with the notice could lead to prosecution."

Deputy council boss and strategic transport, housing and planning official, Councillor Patrick Nicholson, added: “Existing residents will always come first in situations like this and it's important to ensure that their needs are met.

Temporary Stop Notice issued by Plymouth City Council to Manadon Park development

"We asked Burrington Estates to agree with us on a suitable means of access for construction vehicles prior to commencing, however these discussions haven’t yet been concluded so they do not have permission to start.

"Planning conditions are there for a reason and contractors and developers need to take into account the needs of their neighbours when carrying out work."